Chapter 119 Could He Be the Superior Behind the Scenes?

This summit meeting, surprisingly, was related to Ye Tianlin.

Hong Jianian’s declaration caused an immediate and massive sensation. The members of the noble families in attendance were all moved, and the entire room erupted into a frenzy. The power behind the overseas Hong family was already unexpectedly formidable; how could it possibly be linked to Ye Tianlin? Most importantly, Ye Tianlin had been completely ruined. He currently possessed no ability to stir up any trouble, so how could such a trivial figure be qualified to involve himself in an event of this magnitude?

The Matriarch’s expression changed at these words. Her brows knit tightly as she struggled to find an explanation. After all, as his direct elder, she was the one who knew Ye Tianlin best. From childhood to adulthood, she knew exactly what he was capable of and how much he had achieved; he had always been under her control and could never have exceeded her understanding of him. Perhaps it was merely a coincidence—a slight, insignificant connection, nothing of any real substance.

At that moment, not only did the Matriarch think this, but the three great elders led by Elder Ye also shared the same view. They believed it must be a coincidence, a negligible connection, and that Hong Jianian was simply being polite, trying to spare the Matriarch embarrassment by phrasing it so graciously.

Standing in the crowd, Jiang Yingxia slowly raised her head, but after a moment of silence, she couldn't help but lower it again. She thought that even if Ye Tianlin had luckily managed to get involved, he couldn't possibly play a key role; at most, he would be a peripheral figure.

Only Ye Tiancheng stood there, dazed, his eyes wide and fixed. His face was etched with disbelief, and a turbulent storm raged within his mind. While everyone else present had already decided that Hong Jianian was just being tactful to avoid embarrassing the Matriarch, the reality might not be so simple. In such a formal setting, how could Hong Jianian resort to hollow flattery?

Since he had personally stated that this matter was indeed related to Ye Tianlin, then a connection must exist.

"That is impossible!" Ye Tiancheng couldn't help but exclaim on the spot, his mind flashing back to the Su family villa, where he had stood face-to-face with Ye Tianlin and heard every word spoken.

Elder Ye dismissed this, failing to notice the panic in Ye Tiancheng’s eyes. He smiled and said, "Tiancheng is right. Of course, this is impossible. Even if there is some slight connection, it still wouldn't be worthy of notice; he is, at best, a minor character."

The Matriarch’s face darkened. She inwardly cursed Elder Ye for being a cunning old fox. Even though Hong Jianian had spoken so graciously to ease the atmosphere, Elder Ye kept rambling on, clearly hoping to use Ye Tianlin to ensure she had no way to save face in public.

However, before the Matriarch could speak, Hong Jianian stopped smiling. His expression turned solemn as he said, "I think you have all guessed wrong. I am not speaking out of mere formality; there is indeed a significant connection to Ye Tianlin!"

As the words left his lips, Elder Ye’s face turned the color of goose liver.

"What? Young Master Hong, you aren't joking with an old woman like me, are you?" The Matriarch gasped, her body shuddering as she clutched her dragon-headed cane.

Hong Jianian adjusted his collar and said with grave emphasis, "I am truly not joking, and I would never joke on an occasion like this. Once the power behind the overseas Hong family arrives in person, you will understand everything."

At this moment, the noble family members present could no longer maintain their composure. Each of them wore a different expression, their eyes filled with utter bewilderment as they secretly speculated: what kind of connection could Ye Tianlin possibly have, and how great could it be?

The Matriarch racked her brain, yet she still could not find a definitive answer. She silently cursed that wretch, wondering if he could really turn the tables today. The three elders, led by Elder Ye, were similarly racking their brains, exchanging glances with expressions of shock and uncertainty.

Just as everyone was struggling to fathom the truth, Ye Tiancheng let out another cry, instantly causing an even greater uproar.

"Ye Tianlin... could he be that power behind the scenes?"

*Gasps!*

The entire meeting hall felt as if it had been struck by an earthquake or a tsunami; many figures were so terrified they could barely stand. The Matriarch was completely stunned, her cane clattering to the floor. Her mind buzzed, and she remained unable to process the thought. Even Jiang Yingxia, upon hearing this, abruptly lifted her head.

Elder Ye was left breathless, unable to believe it at all. He said, "This is absolutely impossible! Tiancheng, what nonsense are you spouting? If Ye Tianlin truly had that kind of power, why wouldn't Young Master Hong just be direct and tell us now?"

"But..." Ye Tiancheng was so frightened his soul seemed to have left his body. His heart felt as if it might burst at any moment, filled with intense dread.

"There are no 'buts'! Stop your wild imagination. Have some confidence—you will always be stronger than Ye Tianlin. Even if he has some connection, it certainly doesn't carry as much weight as yours!" Elder Ye gritted his teeth.

The Matriarch regained her composure and said sternly, "Young Master Hong, what is really going on here? I hope you will stop keeping us in suspense in front of so many people and explain yourself clearly!"

As the Matriarch spoke, the eyes of everyone in the room turned toward Hong Jianian, their gazes filled with intense urgency.